The glove box: long a sacred holder of napkins, expired insurance cards, and mystery crumbs. But in the all-electric Subaru Solterra, it’s gone, and in its place is a cozy heat panel that might just warm your legs and your heart.
In a popular TikTok clip, automotive journalist Nicole Wakelin (@nicolewakelin) takes us inside the Solterra to explore a significant change to the standard car interior.
“You will not find a glove box here. This is actually radiant heat, so in the winter it helps keep your legs warm,” she notes. “I kind of miss the glove box, but I also like being warm in winter.”
Subaru’s decision to replace the glove box in the Solterra with a radiant heat panel is a deliberate functional choice aimed at improving winter performance and passenger comfort. Rather than blowing warm air from vents, radiant panels emit infrared heat that warms surfaces and occupants directly, much like the sun’s rays.
That’s especially useful in EVs, where conserving battery power is crucial. Traditional climate systems that rely on resistance heating or heat pumps can quickly drain a battery, particularly in colder climates. By integrating radiant heat into the dash and footwell area, Subaru aims to provide more targeted warmth while drawing less energy from the battery.
While Subaru hasn’t publicly released detailed specs for the panel itself, several auto reviewers—including Car and Driver—have noted the Solterra’s strong cold-weather readiness, even without the familiar glove box. The model also features heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and available all-wheel drive, making it a compelling choice for drivers in snowy regions.
Shared DNA with the Toyota bZ4X
The Solterra shares its platform with the Toyota bZ4X, another EV that’s drawn curiosity for its approach to cabin design and climate control. But unlike the Solterra, Toyota’s version does include a glove compartment in U.S. models. That makes Subaru’s omission more intriguing.
It’s not immediately clear why the two manufacturers diverged on this specific feature. Some speculate that Subaru, whose brand identity is closely tied to rugged, outdoorsy lifestyles and snowy-climate capability, prioritized radiant leg warmth over conventional storage. Others suggest it was a way to differentiate the Solterra from its Toyota twin, giving it a slightly more premium or purpose-driven feel.
According to prior coverage, the bZ4X was originally intended to include radiant panels in global models as well. Toyota has implemented similar features in Japan and Europe, although glove box configurations vary by market.
The missing glove compartment has been a conversation starter in EV forums and social media comment sections. Some drivers, particularly those accustomed to stashing manuals, napkins, or spare sunglasses in the dash, lament the loss. Others see it as a clever tradeoff, especially when it means warmer knees in January.
This kind of reaction highlights the broader trend in EV interiors: automakers rethinking what’s essential, what’s legacy, and what can be optimized in a battery-first vehicle. Tesla famously eliminated the traditional instrument cluster in the Model 3 and Model Y, shifting everything to a central touchscreen. Rivian introduced the novel “gear tunnel” between the R1T’s rear seats and bed, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 features a movable center console with open-floor storage to maximize cabin space.
In short, glove boxes may be the latest victim of a larger design reset.
Storage Is Moved, Not Missing
While the glove box is gone, the Solterra doesn’t leave drivers empty-handed. Underneath the floating center console is a deep, well-lit storage cubby that serves as a functional replacement. It’s big enough for personal items, a tablet, or even a small purse, and its location keeps it within easy reach of both the driver and passenger.
The vehicle also features standard door pockets, a center armrest storage compartment, and a decently sized rear cargo area, rated at 30 cubic feet with the rear seats up. MotorTrend notes that while the Solterra’s interior space isn’t revolutionary, it’s well laid out and “well equipped beyond the fun tech,” with Subaru’s signature practical streak still intact.
Subaru has opted for a clean, open-feeling cabin that prioritizes visibility and warmth over cluttered compartments. The result might not please traditionalists in the glove box, but for many EV buyers—especially those prioritizing winter comfort—it’s a worthwhile compromise.
The glove box has been a fixture of car interiors for more than a century, but its days may be numbered in the EV era. As automakers continue to rethink cabin layouts in response to the unique demands of electric drivetrains, such as flat floors, battery packaging, and energy efficiency, legacy features will either evolve or be phased out.
In the Solterra’s case, the tradeoff reflects a broader shift in priorities: from default features to deliberate ones. Warm legs might not compensate for lost storage space for every driver, but they serve as a reminder that EV design is still young and evolving.
InsideEVs reached out to Wakelin via direct message.
